Norland nannies from world's most prestigious childcare school gather for their 40-year reunion

The nannies have worked for celebrities like Diana Ross and author Danielle Steel READ MORE: UK nurseries charge parents non-refundable fees up to £199 to get child on waiting list

Former students of the world’s most prestigious nanny school, Norland College, have reunited 40 years on to reminisce about their careers nannying for the elite.

The Norland class of 1982 – all aged 60 – got back together on Saturday.

The 87th class call themselves the ‘Original Norland Nannies’ because they trained in Denford Park, Berkshire, before the college moved to Bath in 2002.

Since their training days, the group, who met for their reunion in Notting Hill, London, have worked for celebrities like Diana Ross and author Danielle Steel.

The women spoke about their training – which today includes getaway driving and martial arts, as well as psychology, child health, philosophy and social sciences.

Former students from Norland College reunited 40 years on to reminisce about careers nannying for the super elite

The class of 1982 call themselves the ‘original Norland nannies’ because they trained in the Denford Park, Berkshire, before the college moved to Bath in 2002

The 130-year-old institution is the world’s oldest childcare training venue and produces nannies for the rich and famous, including the royal family.

Graduate nanny Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo looks after Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

Mary Robinson, 60, from Norfolk, was the lead organiser of the reunion, and she was a nanny for singer Will Young when he was a baby.

‘I just feel like this is a day that needs to be acknowledged and remembered,’ she said.

‘I haven’t seen most of these people for 40 years – it is absolutely fantastic to all be together again.’

Mary, who now works in a children’s hospital still thinks being a Norland nanny was the best time of her life.

‘It is the best job in the world. It is just so incredibly rewarding,’ she added.

‘If I had a chance to do it all again I would without a doubt.

‘Being a Norlander gives you the opportunity to branch out. You are flying at the top and with that level of experience you can get a job anywhere.

‘I have worked for high profile families, and you have to protect those children to the death.’

Norland nannies are often referred to as being the real-life Mary Poppins, a nickname which Mary says has followed her through her whole life.

‘I was called Mary Poppins by all the families I worked for because my name is Mary,’ she explained.

‘I still to this day get birthday and Christmas cards addressed to Mary Poppins.’

Karen Ibbot, 60, from Somerset, works part time as a nanny and teared up while embracing her old friends.

She still adores working with children 40 years on from her graduation.

‘Children keep you young,’ she said.

‘The kids I work for now are lovely and I couldn’t ask for a nicer family.

‘They make me laugh every day. I am always laughing and smiling in this job.

Some of the nannies pictured at the Denford Park estate, Berkshire, in the 1980s

‘Just the other day, one of the kids turned to me and said, ‘Karen I am going to marry you’.

‘I told him he wouldn’t marry anyone for quite a few years. His response was: “I suppose you will be dead by then”.”

Another nanny, Gilly Waugh, 60, from London, says Norland nannies are entirely unique and unlike any others.

‘The intensity and detail of the training is unlike anything in the world,’ she said.

‘It is an entirely unique way of training that we experienced there, there is nowhere like it.’

Katherine Jenkins, 60, from Herefordshire, also attended.

Known as Kitty, she says the skills she was taught at school were easily transferrable to her career working as a cabin crew member.

‘If there were ever children on board, they would send me because I was experienced,’ she explained.

‘I didn’t know what I wanted to do growing up, I just knew that I loved children.

‘My parents told me that if that was the case then I needed to do it properly. That’s how I ended up at Norland.’

The anticipation for reuniting with her classmates had Kitty up all night.

‘I was so excited for this that I haven’t been sleeping,’ she added.

The former nannies were beaming as they met for their reunion in Notting Hill, London

‘We all lived together for 19 months. Even after all this time apart it feels like walking into a room of all your best friends.

‘They are exactly the same as I remember. Ultimately the friendships you take away are lifelong. It is lovely knowing thar they are all here.

One of these girls introduced me to my husband. It is such a special bond.’

Sharon Charane, 60, from London – nicknamed Shazzy – is a play specialist at a hospital.

‘I was really anxious last night about coming but I am so glad that I convinced myself to. It is amazing to be back – I feel very nostalgic,’ she said.

‘We are all bonded, or gelled, so many people have made the effort to come even from outside of London.

‘It is a good job, you feel good at the end of the day. I love it, it keeps me young.’

Alison Ward, 60, from Southampton, continues to work with children as a nursery nurse.

When asked why she loves working with children so much, she said: ‘It is about the only thing I can do. I have always worked with children and I don’t think I could do anything else.

‘I am so happy to still be working with children.

‘It is great to see everyone again. I have to admit I didn’t recognise some people at first, we all look so different.

‘None of us have the same colour hair that we used to, but the voices sound the same.’